Schools across the country are issuing warnings to parents after a video showing child sex abuse was circulated at Westcountry schools via Snapchat, Instgram and Youtube.

Devon schools have sent letters to parents explaining the danger and what they should do.

The video showing two unidentified children circulated at a school in Bristol and quickly spread to neighbouring areas, with police in Somerset and Hampshire among those currently involved in the investigation.

Parents are being asked to check their children's phones and social media activity.

A letter sent to parents of 1,000 children at Paignton Academy reads: "The school has received information over the weekend about a video that is being circulated nationally via SnapChat and Instagram.

"The reported contents of the video are believe to be of an infant being sexually abused by a teenager. We believe that students at the Academy who use these social media platforms are at risk of being exposed to this video.

"We understand that some of our students may have already seen the video. Pastoral staff are alert to this incident and will be offering support to students where needed.

"We understand that police forces across the country are aware of this video and are already investigating the situation. Parents/carers play a key role in safeguarding their children and educating them on the safe use of the internet.

"Under no circumstances should your child go looking for this video online or share it with others."

The video has been decribed as 'disturbing' and is said to contain "very explicit sexual imagery". It was first shared with children by a fake social media account.

Cotham School in Bristol sent a text message to pupils' parents, warning that other schools in the city had reported pupils being sent the video, reports The Mirror .

It said: "It has come to our attention that a film containing very explicit sexual imagery involving children NOT KNOWN TO THE SCHOOL has been circulation among our students and those in other schools in the city today.

"Please check your child's phone. We understand it is via Instagram."

Daniel Norton, from Cheadle, in Stockport, has been charged with three counts of inciting a female aged 13-15 years to engage in sexual activity, as well as three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child and one count of distributing an indecent photograph of a child.

Police around the country have warned against sharing or viewing the video, which has also appeared on YouTube and Snapchat, saying people could be committing a crime if they do.

The 25-year-old was due to appear at Southampton Magistrates Court.

Hampshire police said officers were investigating and specialists have been supporting those involved.

A spokesman for the force said: "Officers would like to remind people that it is an offence to hold or share such content, and if you do receive images or video content, you should delete them immediately."

If you are concerned that a child you know has been a victim of online child sexual abuse, report directly to CEOP via the ClickCEOP reporting button – www.ceop.police.uk .

"You must delete it immediately": One school's letter to parents

We are aware of an explicit video involving a child which has been distributed via social media. This is currently under investigation by Hampshire Constabulary.

If you have received this explicit video on Snapchat, Instagram or by any other means you must delete it immediately.

If you show this video to someone else or forward it on to other people you could be committing a criminal offence, which the police may investigate and consider prosecution.

The people in the video have been identified and specialist police officers are supporting them to ensure their safety.

If you have any knowledge or relevant information related to who shared this video or how it was distributed, please contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101 as soon as possible.

Children who have been affected by this video are encouraged to speak to their parents, teachers or a trusted adult or can contact ChildLine on 0800 1111 for further support.

Further advice for both children and parents about how to stay safe online is available on the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) command website: https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/